Knight to see you, to see you, Knight!

So the long-awaited moment has finally arrived after much campaigning and speculation on behalf of the public. Bruce Forsyth, entertainer of the masses, has received a knighthood after a mere 70 years in show business! The 83-year-old star, who entered the industry at a tender age of 14, was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2011 Birthday Honours last Thursday, 12 October. The knighthood came after a year-long campaign by fans who were adamant that Bruce, or ‘Brucie’ as he is affectionately known, should receive recognition for his services to charity and entertainment.

Bruce was accompanied to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace by his stunning 54-year-old wife, a former Miss World, Wilnelia Merced, and his children Jonathan, Charlotte and Laura. When asked at how long he’d been in the entertainment business for, the Queen seemed to express surprise at the answer. Bruce joked after the ceremony: “Maybe I’ve been in the job longer than she has!”

Bruce’s success began in 1958 on a weekly variety show, Sunday Night at the London Palladium, where he established himself as a natural performer and all-round variety star. Bruce’s talents include singing, acting, dancing and telling jokes (albeit slightly more cringe-y ones nowadays). He then became even more famous by presenting his own game shows, Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price is Right. It is through these shows that he developed his famous catchphrases, such as “It’s a Brucie bonus”, “Didn’t they do well?” and his show-starter “It’s nice to see you to see you...nice!” Nowadays, he is still using the catchphrases by co-presenting the successful ballroom dancing show Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly.

Despite his long career and success, Bruce remains humble about his award, thanking his fans first and foremost for being so incredibly supportive. He attributes his success to being a family performer and always working on family shows that can entertain any age. And, he doesn’t intend on retiring any time soon!

Some may hate him and his dodgy jokes but I think it’s wonderful that ‘Brucie’ has finally got the recognition he deserves after a lifetime of serving the public through our TV screens! Although he stumbles over his lines, looks in the wrong direction and drops jokes like a lead balloon, we wouldn’t have him any other way. The words on his autocue are also rumoured to be so big that the audience in Strictly Come Dancing have to be asked not to mouth along. However, he is a true entertainer. A type of performer who near-enough ceases to exist with the death of variety shows and the swearing edu-comics that exist today. And I, for one, will be sad to see him go, as it will mark the end of an era. Thanks Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE for entertaining us, and here’s hoping it lasts for many years to come!

Strictly my own views...

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 has begun!

So the new series of Strictly Come Dancing has kicked off and already we’ve had our fair share of bitching, moaning and tantrums. (Yes, I’m looking at you Nancy Dell’Olio).

The 9th series of the popular ballroom dancing show began on September 6, 2011 and the familiar faces of the professional dance partners are back to entertain us, including Italian stallion Vincent Simone, trash-talker Brendan Cole and long-suffering Anton du Beke. And of course, this year’s show provides the public with a host of famous celebs (and some not-so famous, yes I’m looking at you Nancy Dell’Olio) to strut their stuff and try not to humiliate themselves in front of the judging panel. The line-up this year includes The One Show presenter Alex Jones, impressionist Rory Bremner, footballer Robbie Savage, actress and ex-Eastender Anita Dobson and many more.

The first send-off has been and gone with politician Edwina Curry waving goodbye to the glitz and glamour of Strictly last week. And let’s face it, she wasn’t the worst but I’m not exactly upset she’s left. Her dancing wasn’t exactly up to par against the celebrities who are in it to win it (see Holly Valance and Jason Donovan). Also, her cougar attitude was downright disgusting. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with having a cheeky flirt with your prospective dance partner, but growling at the camera and talking about her suddenly wonderful sex life is a bit too far for my liking Edwina! ‘Red hot Curry’ you were certainly not, I’m afraid!

But some of the dancers are obviously in it for the long haul. Aussie, Jason Donovan, pulls out all the stops week after week, determined to be the best and putting the work in to do so.  Holly Valance steams up the dance floor with her sex appeal and Latin American dance moves; her performance as Roxy from Chicago this week astounded both the judges and the audience. I also feel that McFly’s Harry Judd is destined to go far but as of yet hasn’t had the recognition from the judges that he deserves. He surely has the rhythm, from being a drummer, he certainly has the looks, and all he needs now is the technique!

Holly's stunning performance as Roxie Hart from Chicago in Strictly's  Broadway week.

So this year’s Strictly is guaranteed to be another roller-coaster ride. Will romance blossom between Waterloo Road’s Chelsee Healey and new professional Pasha Kovalev? Will Lulu and Brendan’s feisty relationship result in him carting her off the dancefloor over his shoulder once again? Will there be any more costume disasters? (Yes, Nancy Dell’Olio). There’s only one way to find out..